Clutch mechanism



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P. J. LYaAcK CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed June s, 1923 Fbb.14,92s.

Feb. 14, 1928.

P. J. LYBACK CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed -June 5, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v P. J. LYBACK lCLUTCH MECHANISM Filed June 5, 1925 Feb. 14, 1928.

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 gea 30 Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,036

P. J. I YBAcK CLUTC'H. MECHANI SM Filed Jgne 5, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 101 7b 55.a ya 3a 21 [441 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES* PETER JACOB LYBACK,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CLU-TCH MECHANISM.

Application iled June 5,

This invention relates broadly to motion imparting devices, and more particularly to improved clutch mechanism 'for disconnectibly operatively connecting-two or more elements tor simultaneous operation. this invention being particularly useful when employed for connecting a shaft. with two or vmore elements mounted thereon so that the shaft and such elements may be simultaneously rotated, and while for convenience in describing the device it is illustrated as applied to a line shaft which supports a pair of sleeves adapted for alternate engagement with the shaft through the medium oi' my improved clutch mechanism, it will. be understood that this invention is adapted for other applications or installations, and to other uses, and, therefore, finds a wide iield of utility.

The principal objects and advantages which characterize this invention reside in the provision of an improved motion transmission mechanism; the provsio-n oit an improved connecting means for disconnectibly connecting two or more elements for simultaneous operation; the provision of an improved motion transmitting means characterized by the embodiment therein of improved connecting means; the provision in a device of the character described, ot improved disconncctible connecting means; the provision of an improved motion trani-:mitting means characterized by the embodiment therein ot improved disengageable engaging means; the provision, in combination, or improved motion transmitting means and improved clutch mechanism; the provision oi' improved motion transmitting means characterized by the embodiment therein of improved clutch mechanism and actuating means therefor; the provision ot' an improved clutch device; the provision ot an improved friction clutch device; the provision of an improved expansible ring clutch; the provision of an improved expansible ring clutch in combination with improved operating means therefor; the provisiono'f an improved expansible ring clutch including an improved self-contained operating mechanism therefor; the provision ot an improved clutch characterized by the embodivment therein of a variably dimcnsioned connecting element and improved means for-operating said element; the provision of an improved clutch mechanism characterized 1923. Serial No. 643,528.

by the embodiment therein of improved clutch operating mechanism adapted to posi tively engage and disengage the clutch; and the provision, in combination, of two or more elements to be moved simultaneously, improved connecting means tor said elements, and improved actuating means for 'said connecting means, all contained in a compact, simple, and rugged structure in which the moving parts are reduced to a `ijn'acticable minimum and are posit-ive in action.y f

This invention is further and more especially characterized by the provision of an in'iproved expansible ring clutch wherein the motion transmittin element or 'friction ring is positively actuated into and out of engaging position, as distinguished from the well 1Known expanding ring clutches ot the prior art wherein the eapansible or contractible ring employed in the clutch is allowed to move into one or the other of its cxtreme positions by the inherent resiliency ot the ring, It will be understood as this description proceeds that references to an expansible ring and means 'lor positively moving the ring into and out ot' engaging position are intended to include clutch rings which contract into engaging or driving position, and, in tact, any other arrangements ot the ring wherein its dimensions are varied against the resiliency oit the ring for the purpose oi transmitting motion thereby.

The foregoing and such other objects and advantages which may appear or be pointed out as this description proceeds are attained in the structural embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of this invention, certain parts being in elevation, illustrating one of its inallations Figure 2 is a longitudinal axial sectional view on a plane substantially at right angles to that ot Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the parts, which I term the clutch hub;

Figure 1l is a perspective view of a part which I term the clutch ring;

Figures 5, 6, and 7, are perspective views of detail parts;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectionalview taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 9l is a transverse sectional View taken on line 9 9 of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Y Figure 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of an alternate form of this invention; and

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 1), of another alternative or modified form of this invention;

Figures 13 to 16, inclusive, illust-rate detail parts of the device of Figure 12.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to the form of the device il lustrated in Figures 1 to 1G, both inclusive, the improved clutch of this invention is in stalled in an arrangement wherein a single driving element is provided, such as the shaft 5, and two driven elements, such as the sleeves 6 and 7, are provided, the clutch, as will hereinafter appear, being arranged to alternately impart motion from the shaft 5 to either of the sleeves 6 and 7. lt will be understood, of course, that t ie clutch may be placed in other arrangements wherein it finds utility.

v'It will be observed upon reference to Figures 1 and 2 that two clutch members and yassociated parts are provided for alternately connecting the shaft 5 to either of the sleeves, said clutches being generally designated8 and 9, repectively. The clutch Swill be described in detail, with general reference to the clutch 9.

` substantially closed housing as will best be seen from an inspection of Figures 1 and 2.

TheV clutch devices of this invention include complemental parts and .a hub 19 which carries said parts, said hub 19 being fixed on the shaft 51 for rotation therewith bythe provision of a. key or spline 20. The hub is best seen in n igures 2 and 3, and said. hub is provided with the trough portions 21 and 22 which extend Aat diametrically opposite points from Aopposite ends of the hub toward the medial portion thereof, said hub having a cylindrical enlargedy portieri 23, Y

through which said troughs extend, the troughs,.respectively, terminating short of the ends ofthe enlargement 23 to form abut- `ments 24 `and 25. At' the outer ends the troughs extend to the adjacent end of ythe hub. The enlargement 23 is provided with a series of kpockets 26, 27,728 and 29, which have their walls relatively angularly related and preferably in planes tangential to the peripheral surface of the enlargement 23, and in planes parallel to the side walls of the troughs 21 and 22l for a purpose which will presently appear. This arrangement of t-he troughs 21 and 22 and pockets 26, 27, 28`and 29 affords parallel oppositely extending walls 30-30 and 31-31. The left hand wall 30 as viewed in Figures 3 andr9 is provided with an inclined or diagonal threaded opening 32, and the right hand wall has a threaded opening 33 which is at substantially right angles to the wall 30, it being observed that both of the openings 32 and 33 are located toward the inn-er end of the trough 21. Similarly, the walls 31-31 are provided `with openings 34 and 35 complemental to the openings 32 and 33 but relatively oppositely disposed, as will-be seen from an inspection of Figure 9.

The trough 21 serves as a receiver for an adjustable yoke 36, said yoke being shown in detail in Figure 6. The yoke comprises a body 37 bifurcatcd at 38 to provide spaced parallel arms 39-39, said arms being provided with yaligned bearings 40-40. One

of the corners of the block is undercut to provide the inclined wall/l1 and a diagonal recess 42 is formed in the opposite wall of the body 37 and has abuse Wall 42a near the wall 41. l/Vhen said yoke is in the trough a wedge element 43 lies in the recess formed by the wall 41 and the trough and a bolt 44 threaded in the opening 32 lies in the recess 42 in said yoke and abuts the wall 42a. The wedge 43 is recessed to receive the reduced end 45 of a bolt-or serew4'6 which threads into the opening 33, and by relative adjustment of the screws 44 and 46 the position of the yoke longitudinally in the trough may be varied.

t will be observed from Figure 9 that the saine arrangement is provided in the trough and, therefore,k a detailed discussion of same `will not be necessary.

lVithin the yoke 36, between the ar1ns39, there is provided a slidable clutch key 47. best shown in Figure 5, and including a boxlikeliousing 48 having the inner surface 49 of its rear wall 50 'disposed in an inclined plane as appears in Figure 2.

The clutch key member includes, ywith the housing 48, a key member 51 provided with a plain surface 52 and a surface53 arranged atan inclination to the surface 52. The'key Y operatin mechanism may best be understood. he clutch ring 57 is split at 58 and is formed, adjacent said split portion, with an inwardly directed lug 59 which lies between the surface 52 of the key and the adjacent Wall 53 of the trough 21, and said ring is also provided with an inwardly directed lug which seats on the base 54 of the key member between the surfaces 53 and 56. The lug 59 is substantially straight, that is, having its longitudinal axis disposed in a plane substantially arallel to the a-Xis of the shaft 5, whereas tie lug 60 has both of its engaging surfaces inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 5, and, therefore, ,fits snugly and evenly bctween the surfaces 53 and 56. This will be clearly noted from an inspection of Figure 10.

The innerl surface of the key member 51 is disposed in an inclined plane as indicated at 61 oppositely to the inclined surface 49, and, in the housing formed by the side walls of the member 48 andthe walls i9 and 61, there is provided an operating cam 62, mounted upon a shaft 68 transversely fixedly arranged in the openings 40-a0 provided in the arms 39 of the yoke 36, said shaft passing through the sides of the housingS, the latter having slots 48 for accommodating said shaft.

The cam as best shown in Figure 2, is provided with the radial enlargement 64, having surfaces 649, 65, and the radial enlargement 66, the enlargement 611; being wider transversely than the face of the enlargement 66 for a purpose which willpresently appear.

The shifting collar 18 is substantially cylindrical and is provided with aniinternal annular projection 67 which, for the greater part of its inner surface 68, is plain, that is, is in slidable contact with the cylindrical enlargement 23 on the hubv 19. The outer sur face of the collar at substantially the medial portion thereof is provided with an annular groove 69 which receives the forked end of a shifting lever or other element, not shown, so that the sleeve may be rectilinearly displaced for shifting the clutches,

At a point between the key yoke and the inner surface of the enlargement 67, the latter is provided with a substantially rectangular longitudinal recess or pocket 7 0 which receives a cam plate 7l the recess 70 having shoulders 72 formed at its ends to accommodate the abutments 73 formed on the ends of the cam plate 71. The cam plate thus is helA in position against longitudinal displace ment by the abutments 7 3 and shoulders 72, and against transverse displacement by the yoke and side Walls of the recess 70. Y

The cam plate is provided with an elongated slot 74 for reception of the cam portion 66, said slot extending from substantially the medial portion of the plate toward one end of the latter and terminating at one of the abutments. Beneath the abutment there is provided a tapered wall 75 and the surfaces otsaid wall 75 are adapted to engage the projections on the cam 62 as the collar is shifted. Furthermore, the wall 75 abuts the enlargement 64 on the cam when the clutch is shifted to rotate said cam, as seen in Figure 2.

The clutch ring 57 is retained against longitudinal displacement by engagement with the abutment 2a and an annulus 77 is secured to the end of the clutch hub by the provision of screws 78, entering openings 7 t), said annulus engaging an annular shoulder formed on theadjacent port-ion of the ring 57. This is best shown in Figures 2 and 10.

The parts described so far serve to operate the clutch ring 57 and this clutch ring operates to connect the shaft 5 with the sleeve 6 by expansion of the clutch ring 57 and its frictional engagement with the inner surface 'lf/t of the drum 10, this structure being duplicated for operating the. other clutch ring 572L which engages the inner surface 15 of the drum 13 formed on the sleeve 7 when the clutch 57 is released. To distinguish between the cam for operating, the clutch ring 57 and that for operating the clutch ring 57 a, the numeral 62a has been applied to the cam shown at the lower part of Figure 2. It follows that when the cam 62 is in the position sho wn in Figure 2, which is the engaging position, the cani 62a will be in the disengaging position so that at no time can both of the clutch rings become engaged with their respective drum surfaces. Y

In order to facilitate adjustment, insertion or removal of the screws 46 provided for holding' the wedges a3, openings 7 6b are provided in the shift-ing collar 18 opposite the screws 46 and 44, to permit the introduction of a screw-driver or other tool. Thus the screws 46 become, in effect keys, that is, these screws serve, with the clutch collar 18, as the means for maintaining the parts when as- I.sombled Vin proper relationship. It will be observed that the rotatable cam 62 is supported in part by the wedgey member. and serves to connect the latter and the sleeve, which aetuates the same'in such a manner that the degree of motion of the Wedge is considerably less than that of the sleeve and yet in the same direction.

In the operation of the clutch, when the collar 18 is shifted to the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 2, the tapered wall 7 5 engages the. surface 65 of the projection 64 on the cam 62 and partially rotates said cam on its shaft- At the same time the opposite cam plate 71 carrying the tapered abut-- ment 7 5n engages the lng @tion the cam 62 and imparts a partial rotation to said cam to moveV it to the position shown in Figure 2.

The rotation oi the cam 62 into the position shown in Figure 2 imparts rectilinear motion to the key member 47 to torce the Wedge portion v51 thereof between the tWo lugs 59 and 60 on the clutch ring 57, expandin gj 4.said ring into rictional engagement with the surface "1li of the drum 12. The move` ment which was imparted to. the cam 62 auand thus the ring' is positively actuated. 1t ollovvs that the ring' positively actuated into engaged position.

vWhen the clutch'collai. 'l8`is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 1, the above operation is reversed7 that is, the clutch ring 57 is positively withdrawn from driving engagement with the drum 12 and the clutch ring 57a is positively expanded into rengagement vi (l with the drum 1?). It will thus be seen that the alternate operation ot the clutches is positive and that the clutch rings cannot stick to their .respective drums, Which happens Where the resiliency of the ring is alone reliedupon for retraction. f

The purpose of the slots 7st provided in the cam plates 71 will become apparent when it is seen that the projections 66 cooperate with said slots and with the engagement which vtakes place between the projections 64C and the Walls G5, to lock the clutch against accidental disengagement from either of its driving positions. It Will also be seen that it is convenient that the projections 66 be made ot' a lesser Width than that oi" 'the projectons 611 so as to economizc in space in these parts as Wellras to afford means for ac-V complishing` the locking Jiun'ction.

In the alternate torni oit the invention shown inFigure 11 the essential features oit the device of Figuresl to 10 are therein embodied, and for this reason a description in detail ct all ot the parts oi the device of Figure 11 is not necessary.

in Figure 11- there is provided a shaft 5 and a shaft 5b, the clutch device indicated in its entirety at 7a being aiiixed to the shaft 5a, and a connecting sleeve 8 being lined, by a key 9, to the shaft 5h. The shafts 5 and 5b are, oiE course, in abuttingrelationship and the shaft 5a may be connected to a driving means and the shalt 5b may be connected to a driven element, or vice versa.

yThe sleeve 8LL 1s provided Wit-h a lubrieating duct 16a and a bearing 17 for the.

adjacent end of the shaft 5, so thatsaid shait .is mutually supported by a bearing t not shown) and by the bearing 17` in said sleeve. and thus` assures alinement of the shafts.

The sleeve 8 furthermore lprovided with a drum 14a having an internal friction surface 15 awainst which the clutch rino' 80'v adapted to be forced. rlhe'clutch member 7 includes the clutch hub 8l, which isprovided with a longitudi- The cam plate S6 is carried by the clutch shitting collar 90 which substantiallyencloses the clutch mechanism'in a manner similar to the clutch collar 18 previously de-V bed. '.l'he collar 9() is provided With an collar. Y ,f

ilfhilc the same means for retaining adjustably the yoke members 86 of the form of the invention previously described may be employed for retaining the yoke member 83 in Figure 11, I have substituted. as analternate arrangei'i'ient a ring' 92 Whichis internally 'threaded for engagement 'With the outer threaded end 93 of thehub 81, and said ring` provided With an internal annue lar groove 941, said groove being adapted to receive the outwardly'turned end V95 of a lug 96 formed on the outer Wall of the yoke SB. rlhe ring may be providedavith open-` ings in its outer surface so as to permit of the application of'a Spanner Wrenchl or other convenienttool thereto for rotating said ring. such rota-tion of the ringy serving to hmgitndinally adjust the yoke land maintain it in an adjusted position. i lt will be seen that when the clutchv collar 90 is shifted to the right as viewed in Figure 11 the abutn'ient 87 will cause the cam 85 to move the key member Safor expanding the clutch ring 8O and thus connecting the shafts 5' and 5b; and similarly to lthe, form oi" the invention previously described, the

Vclutch is locked bythe abutment 87 over# riding' the'adjacent lug on the caml 85 and .preventing rising' of the camjand release of the clutch. l l

A convenient manner of assembling the device ot vFigures 1 to `10, inolusivminaybe as follows: The clutch hub-19 is placed at the desiredpoint on the shaft 5, and keyed s v d) to the end ofk the hub 81 adjacentv t sleeve 8 prevents accidental displace-y i it ot the clutch ring 80.

paternal annular groove 91 for receiving a I torked member, not shown, for shift-lng said in position to said shaft, as explained. The key members and cams 62 and 62 are then inserted into their respective yoke members, and said members with the keys and cams are deposited in the channels or troughs 21 and 22, the keys 51 having the clutch rings associated therewith and the yokes being inserted from the outer ends of the troughs, so that when the yokes are thus inserted the keys and clutch members are then in position. One of the clutch ring retaining members 77 may then be applied and the screws T8 inserted. The wedges 43 are applied just previous to moving the yokes back into their respective troughs, and itfollows that when the assembly so far explained is completed all the moving` parts carried by the clutch hub are in proper position with the exception of one of the clutch rings. The screws 44 and 46 are then inserted into their proper position and adjusted.

The device is now ready to receive the clutch shifting collar 18 and its cam plates, and these latter are applied, of course, previous to the application of the collar to the clutch. The collar is then applied to the clutch assembly by inserting the assembly from its left end, as viewed in Figure 2, into the collar. The cam 62 must be in the posi tion shown in Figure 2, and similarly the cam 62L must be in the position there shown, so that as the collar 18 and its cam plates are moved onto the clutch assembly the cams will take the proper relationship to the cam plates and to each other.

'lhe remaining clutch 1mg 1s now applied,

and secured, and the sleeves 6 and 7, may then be placed on the shaft 5 and iiXed against longitudinal displacement in any desired manner so that they will be freely rotatable in fixed positions on the shaft. It will be understood that in applying the drums 12 and 13 over their respective clutch rings, the latter should be 'contracted temporarily by shifting the collar 18.

After the assembly is completed, proper adjustment of the parts may be had by applying a screw driver or other suitable tool, to the screws 46 or 44, or both,` through the openings 7 6l. It will. be observed that the clutch mechanism when assembled off the shaft 5, may be bodily applied to the shaft, so that the device becomes selfcontained, and with the sleeves 6 and 7 may be placed at any point on a shaft as conditions may demand. Y

The device of Figure 11 is assembled simin larly to the device of Figures 1 to 10, but in applying the ring 92 to the yoke 83 and hub 81 it is necessary that the yoke be placed in position so that the projection 95 may engage inthe groove94, and to. this end the ring 92 may either be made in two parts,

which parts are held by the clutch collar 90 against separation, or said ring V92 may be provided with an external recess92'| for accommodating the outer portion of the wall of the yoke 83 when the member 95 is in troduced into the groove 94. Vhen this is done the collar 92 is turned up as fas as the threads 93 will permit on the hub 81 and then the yoke inserted, whereupon the collar may be backed oli to the proper point.

I found that in the larger clutches embodying this invention, and iny other 1nstances, it is desirable that movement in the nature of a double action be imparted to the clutch rings or ring in expanding and contracting same, and to this end the device of Figures 12 to 16, inclusive, has been designed.

In the device of Figures 12 to 16 the structural features of the devices of Figures 1 to 10, and Figure 11 have been essentially adhered to with the exceptions pointed out below.

Reference now being had to Figures 12 to 16, inclusive, there is provided the sleeve 6a which corresponds to the sleeve 6 shown in Figure 1, said sleeve having an enlargement 10PL provided with an internal friction surface 25a.

The clutch hub 192L is similar in construction to the clutch hub shown in Figure 3, with the exception that, while, as shown in Figure 14, the trough 21a has its base surface 23 tangential to the bore 26l of the hub, the projecting members shown in Figure 3 are omitted. Similarly to the device of Fig- Lure 3 the hub 19a is reduced on its end as at 22, Figure 14, to receive the clutch ring 57h. This reduced portion 22a is provided with a keyway 24b for reception of a key lug 99 which is intended to seat in said keyway when the clut'ch ring is applied and prevent rotition of the clutch ring relative to the hu The trough or groove 21a serves to receive ayoke member 36 which carries the key member 100 which is modified in accordance with the present form of the device. The construction of the yoke is similar to that shown in Figures 6 and 10 and is adjusted in a similar manner by the provision of the screws 44a and 46a and the wedge 43a.

Similar to the yoke 36 the yoke 36a carries a transverse shaft 63a and a cam 66EL similar yto the cam 62 previously described, and said 55 of the key lies on the surface 231'and is slidable longitudinally of the clutch hub on said surface.

The clutch ring 571 is split at 58 and is formed, on either side of the opening thus provided, with inclined abutm'ents or inwardly directed' lugs 59 and 60, and when said ring is in position on the reduced por- `tion 22a of the hubl the abutments 59a and 60a seat in the grooves 5a provided in the kel member the Wedge or lare 51a beine disv e ,J osed in the s ace between said abutments c a f 7 as best'seen in Figure l2.

The clutch ring 1s provided with an annular shoulder 71 for reception ot the retain incr disc or Washer 101 and as best seen in b l' a a Fieure 1li the end race or the reduced art t) 7 J n l n 22a olf the clutch hub is provided with open ings 102 for the reception of screws 104i-, or-

the lilre fastening elements, which pass through countersunl; openings 103 provided in the Washer 101, said Washer thus preventing" endwise displacement of the clutch ring.

In the operation ot this device, it will be observed upon reference to Figure l2, that when the clutch key is moved longitudinally of the clutch hub the vvedee or key portion 51 vvill be forced between the abutments 59 and 60a, thus expanding the ring in both .directions `from the key rather than in one direction as is the case in the device of Figures 1 to 11. It will be observed that upon Withdrawal o' the lrey l'or releasing the clutch, the projections 53a having'their inner surfaces parallel to the surfaces 52EL oit the lrey, Will engage the outer surfaces of the abutments 59 and 60a and thus posi.- tively contract the ring.

It will be obvious that vvhilcpnly one ring andoperating mechanism therefor have been illustrated, this structure is duplicated When constructing a. clutch mechanism similar to that shown in Figures vl and 2, andit will also be understood that, in applying the key and key vmember ol Figures 12 to 16, inclusive, to the device of Figure 11, the same means fory securing the mechanism to the shaft and to the clutchv hub as that provided inFigur'e 11 may be embodied in this device.

From the 'foregoing it vvill be seen that the principal point oi difference vice of Figures 12 to 16 and that et tliedevices of Figures 1 to 11 resides in the tact that the ring'is expanded in both directions from an anchoring point, Whereas in the other forms ot the invention the ring is expanded in one direction only. lWhile the form of the device shovvn in Figures 12 to 16 may be embodied in the form of the invention lirst described, it Will be readily appreciated that this latter term is more particularly adapted to larger clutches Where in the matter 01' efficiency it is desirable that a minimum amount of motion longitudinally of the key memberV be made to attain a debetween he desired degree of eXpansion of the clutchring.y

Having thus 'described my invention and illustrated itsuse,rwhat I cla-im as new and desire to secure by Letters VPatent is:

1. In combination, an element to be moved, an actuating element, and pivoted means connecting .said elements whereby motion ofthe actuatingl element is transmitted to the element to be moved in the same direction Vbut through a. shorter path than thato'f the actu-V ating element, a clutch ring connected 4to the element to be moved, said ring having its dimensions varied positively in both direc-V tions bysaid actuating element.

2. In combination with a driving element and a pair of ydrivenelements,V of clutch mechanisms including expanding rings, and

means tor alternately positively expandingY by the latter.

4. In a deviceof the character'described, in combination, a clu-tch ring, a Wed-ge member moving in a substantially fixed rectilinear path for positively varying the dimensions oi said ring, an actuating member moving in a substantially rectilinear 'path for actuels-- ing said Wedge member, anda cam member connecting said Wedge andactuatlng members and partially contained by the latter.

in combina-tion, a clutch ring, av Wedge mem Vloer moving ina substantially fixed rectilinearpath for positively varyingfthe dimenv` sions of said ring, an actuating member moving in a substantially reetilinearpath for actuating said Wedge member, and a rotatable member supported inV art by said Wedge member and connecting t e latter'and said actuating member for reducing the travel ot the Wedge belovv that of the actuating member. i

6. In a device of the character.described,l

'itiV 106 5. .In device of the character described,

in combination, a clutchring, a Wedge member moving in a. substantially lixed vrectilim ear path for positively varying the dimen-y sions of said ring, an actuating member moving in a substantially reet-ilinearpath. for y actuating said Wedge member, and a rotatable member supported iny part by 'said Wedge member and connecting the latter and said actuating member for translating'motion between saidY actuatingf'a'nd, wedge .members whereby their directions ofmotioniare thesame.

7. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a variably diinensioned ring, a Wedge engaging said ring at two points, an actuating element for said Wedge, and an intermediate connecting member between said actuating element and said Wedge for causing the latter to move simultaneously with the ractuating element in the same direction as but to a lesser extent than said actuating element.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a va-riably dimensioned ring, a Wedge engaging said ring at tivo points, an actuating element for said Wedge, and a cam member between said actuating element and said Wedge for causing the latter to n'iove simultaneously With the actuating element in the same direction as but to a lesser extent than said actuating element.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, a'clutcli ring, a Wedge memn ber moving in a substantially fixed rectilin-` ear path for positively varying tbe dimensions ot said ring, an actuating member moving in a substantially rectilinear path for actuating said Wedge member, and ay rotatable member supported in part by said Wedge member and connecting the latter and said actuating member for reducing the travel of the Wedge below that of the actuating member, said rotatable member serving to lock said wedge in a predetermined position.

l0. In, a clutch mechanism, the combination of a variably dimensioned ring, a rectilineariy movable member for positively varying tbe dimensions ot said ring, a carrying yoke for said rectilinearly movable member, means for adjusting said yoke Without removal from tbe clutch, and means for locking said yoke in position.

ll. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a variably dimensioned ring, a rece tilinearly movable member for positively varying the dimensions of said ring, an adjustable carrying yoke for said rectilinearly movable member, and an actuating member for said rectilinearly movable member substantially encompassing the latter and serv-- ing to retain said carrying yoke against displacement in one direction.

l2. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a. variably dimensioned ring, a rectilinearly movable member for. positively varying the dimensions of said ring, an adinstable carrying yoke for said rectilinearly movable member, an actuating member mov ing in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of movement of said rectilinearly mov-V able member, and a connecting member Within the contines of said rectilinearly movable member and carried by said yoke for operatively connecting t-he latter to said actuating member.

1S. In a clutch mechanism, the combination of a variably dimensioned ring, a rectilinearly movable member for positively varying the dimensions of said ring, an adjustable carrying yoke for said rectilinearly movable member, an actuating member encompassing said last mentioned member and moving in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of movement of said member, and a connecting member Within the contines o said rectilinearly movable member and carried by said yoke for operatively connecting the latter to said actuating member.

i4. In clutch, a variably dimensioned ring, a rigid Wedge member for varying the dimensions of said ring, an actuating member for imparting movement to said wedge, a pivoted connecting link for said Wedge and aemating member, said Wedge and actuating members being simultaneously movable in the same direction in parallel planes.

l5. In clutch, a variably dimensioned ring, a rigid Wedge member for varying the dimensions of said ring, an actuating member for imparting movement to said Wedge and forming a housing therefor, a pivote'd connecting link iior said Wedge and actuating member', said Wedge and actuating members being simultaneously movable in paral lel planes.

i6. In a clutch, a variably dimensioned ring, a rigid Wedge member for varying the dimensions or" said ring, and engaging the latter at tivo points, an actuating member for imparting movement to said Wedge, said Wedge and actuating members being simultaneously movable to different distances in tbe same direction and in parallel planes.

17. In a clutch, a variably dimensioned ring, a Wedge tor varying the dimensions of said ring, a yoke for supporting and in which said wedge is movable, and an enclosing housing` 'for said yoke and Wedge and for imparting movement to the latter.

18. In a clutch, a variably dimensioned ring, a wedge for varying the dimensions of saidring, a yoke for supporting and in which said Wedge is movable, means for adjusting and locking said yoke, and an enclos ing housing for said yoke and Wedge and 'for imparting movement to the latter.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

PETER JACOB LYBACK. 

